Allocation Round 8 could buy 19 GW of renewables while cutting consumer costs
LCP Delta estimates that an optimised Contracts for Difference auction could procure as much as 19 GW of wind and solar. Its central scenario produces more than £11 billion of net consumer savings between 2027 and 2050. The figure is a modelled outcome, not an auction forecast, and depends heavily on strike prices, gas prices, […]
Energy shock pushes Bank of England closer to a rate rise
The Bank has held its policy rate at 3.75%, but three of nine policymakers voted for an immediate increase to 4%. It now expects inflation to exceed 4% in early 2027, largely because wholesale oil and gas prices have risen sharply. For the energy transition, the decision reinforces a difficult dual reality: higher financing costs […]
Scotland places hyperscale data centres behind a new environmental gate
Every proposed Scottish data centre with more than 50 MW of power capacity must now undergo an environmental impact assessment. The requirement applies to applications already in the system as well as new proposals; smaller… You must be a Premium Subscriber to read this. You must be a Premium Subscriber to view this content. You […]
Ofgem sets delay penalties for UK’s first offshore hybrid interconnectors
LionLink and Nautilus would provide a combined 3.2 GW of cross-border capacity while connecting continental offshore wind. Ofgem is proposing start dates, a 2035 backstop and repayment requirements for unjustified delays. The consultation is a… You must be a Premium Subscriber to read this. You must be a Premium Subscriber to view this content. You […]
Drax earnings upgrade puts diversification beyond biomass in the spotlight
Drax expects 2026 adjusted EBITDA near the top of analysts’ £680-711mn range. Its £561mn purchase of Bluefield Solar Income Fund adds 0.9 GW of operating solar and wind and a 2.9 GW development pipeline. The acquisition broadens Drax’s technology mix, but increases leverage and does not remove its continued dependence on biomass policy. Drax has […]
MoD radar agreement removes key consent condition for Norfolk Vanguard
The government has discharged the air defence radar condition attached to the Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind consent. The decision removes a potentially serious obstacle, but is not itself a final investment decision or construction approval for every remaining project element. Resolving radar interference is increasingly important to the UK’s ability to expand offshore wind without […]